Brooktrails seeking public approval for new fire tax

The Brooktrails Board of Directors expects to have a wide ranging discussion at its July 23 meeting about future fire department funding sources. The public is invited to come and share their views with the board, says Board President Tony Orth.

The board, according to Orth, is looking closely at proposing something for early in 2014 in time to allow any increase to be collected in 2014.

For any tax measure to get on the November 2013 ballot the board will have to submit it to the county in finished form by August 9. The board will likely defer any action during this election cycle to await the outcome of legislation circulating which will reduce the votes needed to raise funding to only 55 percent of voters. Brooktrails voters supported the fire tax on the June 5, 2013 ballot with more than 63 percent of the vote. The tax measure because it failed to garner the required 66-and two-thirds percent. The 2012 vote was 575 in favor and 335 opposed.

"The general fund continues to support the fire department," says Orth. "We need a tax in place to fund it."